Treasure Coast reading list I

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens: Still one of the best Christmas stories. In an easy, one-hour read, you'll learn all you need to know about the true Christmas spirit. -- Richard Jafolla, Vero Beach

“In the Dark Streets Shineth: A 1941 Christmas Eve Story,” as told by David McCullough: This little book can be read in just a few minutes. It invites us to take the education of experience, set politics aside and focus on the meaning of Christmas. The beautiful text is combined with touching pictures from 1941. It comes with a DVD featuring narration by McCullough accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. -- Sue Holbrook, Vero Beach

“The Founding Brothers” by Joseph Ellis: This book gives insight into the courage, personalities and beliefs of the men who forged a unique union, clarifying many truths and setting straight myths and misinformation that we have been told and often believe as truth. They were spiritual men who faced tyrants. Thomas Jefferson said he looked forward to a time when all the kings and priests were put on the gallows. Benjamin Franklin said that a little religion is good but too much is worse than none at all. I enjoyed the fact that this book helped me see the truth concerning these progressive men. -- Charley Davis, Stuart

"Rise to Rebellion" by Jeff Shaara: A historical novel giving the basis for the colonies’ break with England from the perspective of our founding fathers. Jeff and his father have written a series of historical novels covering the American Revolution, the Civil War, the First World War, and the Second World War. The reader will enjoy an interesting review of these great events that shaped our country. Entertaining and educational! -- Bob Quinn, Stuart

“The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War” by David Halberstam: For readers who wish to enrich their grasp about recent American history, I'd encourage them to read this book. The military action emphasizes the early portion of the conflict and is rich with reports from foot soldiers as well as brass hats. Halberstam puts us into the picture regarding strategy and goals as well as egos and ambitions at America's highest levels. Although ignorance about this war is commonplace, our nation still maintains 30,000-plus American service personnel in Korea to defend the 38th parallel. -- Jack R. Van Der Slik, Port St. Lucie

“A Small but Spartan Band” by Zack C. Waters and James C. Edmonds: This book tells the story of the Florida Brigade in Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia during the American Civil War. This book explores the life of the men of the 2nd, 5th and 8th infantry regiments that made up the Florida Brigade. The book takes the reader from the battle in 1862 to Gettysburg and finally Appomattox. -- Bob Burdge, Fort Pierce

“Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba and Then Lost It to the Revolution” by T. J. English: (Fidel) Castro may not have been the best answer for Cuba, but he was certainly better than what existed before. One need look no further than America's own embargo, paid for by the Cuban exiles in America, to see what happens when money buys foreign policy. Americans owe it to themselves to visit Cuba, legally or illegally. Then they can see how corrupt some of the Cuban exiles in America are. -- Jim Weix, Palm City

"Where Men Win Glory: The Pat Tillman Story" by John Krakauer: This is a must read for the truth behind a terrible government cover-up of the death of a real American hero, which I have re-read many times. -- Pat Reed, Micco

“Sarah's Key” by Tatiana de Rosnay: A 2008 novel, but still a paperback best-seller. A little Jewish girl in Paris in 1942 is rounded up along with 50,000 others headed for Auschwitz. Her escape and life story is written 50 years later by an American journalist in Paris in remembrance of the German death camps. The little girl's life becomes closely intertwined with the journalist's life. Have your Kleenex handy! -- Marshall Wolf, Vero Beach

"The Death and Life of the Great American School System" by Diane Ravitch: A fascinating book, this book is easy to read and written as a personal account. Dr. Ravitch went through an "intellectual crisis" realizing that she had "lost confidence" in the very reforms she advocated while serving as U.S. assistant secretary of education. She was instrumental in creating the No Child Left Behind legislation. A must-read for every educator, parent, and taxpayer. -- Teri Pinney, Port St. Lucie

“Courage and Consequence” by Karl Rove: This book opens a window to firsthand observations of history in the making. No matter what your political persuasion, you will find this book to be interesting and in some cases enlighten. I chose to get the book in the audible format rather than print. The fact that it is narrated by the author gives it more depth. -- Ed Maxwell, Jensen Beach

“The Richest Man in Babylon” by George Clason: One of my favorite books of all time. A fast read, very entertaining, and basic knowledge that every human being needs to have a healthy perspective on money, spending, saving, etc. A thousand years of wisdom that still applies today. -- Kevin Yeats, Fort Pierce

“Crescent Dawn” by Clive Cussler: I am a male who was raised on Doc Savage and G-8 and His Battle Aces. Like all of Cussler's novels, “Crescent Dawn” is replete with gems of history and geography incorporated into a wildly adventurous contemporary setting, which reflects our military vis-a-vis with possible military foes. G-8 battled our “little brown brothers” in the skies in the early 1930s, thinly prognosticating our war with Japan 10 years later. Here, Cussler has a can't-put-down page-turner that just might be part of tomorrow's headlines. -- John Staab, Stuart

“So Much for That” by Lionel Shriver: A very edgy look at family dynamics when there is fatal illness involved. I was so excited over the ending I almost jumped up and applauded. I won't even hint at what it was; don't want to ruin it for you. -- Susan Hopkins, Fort Pierce

"Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent: This a must for pure reading pleasure and looking into the mind of a 4-year-old boy as he tells his experience of dying for three minutes and what he saw during that time. It is provocative and enlightening and certainly makes one think about life and the hereafter. It is 162 pages of thought. -- Skip Wood, Vero Beach

"Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder — One of the most moving books I have read is a true story about Dr. Paul Farmer, a Harvard Medical School graduate who has chosen to dedicate his life to improve the life and health of the most disadvantaged people in this world, starting with Haiti and other countries, leaving aside the life of luxury that, as a Harvard physician, he most certainly would have. -- Dr. William H Fleming, Port St Lucie